Fairfield County School District Dr. J. R. Green Superintendent of Schools
The Connector
December 2016
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and all the employees of Fairfield County
School District, my very best wishes to you and yours for a joyous holiday season. Have a memorable time with your families and friends as you enjoy this break. We look forward to continuing to provide our students the very best learning and teaching environment possible in the coming New Year and beyond.
Dr. J. R. Green
12 Points of PRIDE at Fairfield Central High School
Superintendent of Schools
T. Swilley, Principal
As we approach Winter Break, we often hear the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, Fairfield Central High School would like to share 12 Points of PRIDE. 1. The Class of 2017 has begun to receive college acceptance letters. Griffins have been accepted to the University of Alabama, University of South Carolina, Francis Marion University, Benedict College, South Carolina State University, Winthrop University, College of Charleston, and Johnson & Wales, just to name a few. 2. ACT Wednesday, a new initiative at FCHS this year, is designed to help juniors prepare for the ACT. The first 45 minutes of every English, Math, Science, and Social Studies class for juniors on Wednesdays, are devoted to ACT Preparation. Students work on test-taking strategies to assist with making the best score possible on the ACT. 3. STEM Cohort 1 is preparing to travel abroad in June 2017 to England. Educational travel is a key component of FCHS new globally-focused curriculum. The opportunity to witness new cultures first hand and experience history, typically only learned in a textbook, is one that only enhances a student’s enthusiasm for learning. Students will become a part of the scientific tradition in England by seeing, firsthand, the long timeline of scientific progress. See PRIDE|Page 3
For many, the Christmas season creates a desire to help others. Since 2013, Fairfield County School District Angel Tree project has provided a memorable Christmas to students classified as homeless under the McKinney Vento Act. “This is an awesome opportunity to show others that we care. Another opportunity to show them that they matter. And, a greater opportunity to replace their despair with hope,” FCSD Homeless Liaison Belva Belton said. Project Coordinator Gervonder Brown said over 70 students were identified this year in schools throughout the district. “ As we enjoy the holiday season with family and friends, it’s good to know we have provided a blessed holiday season to a child,” Brown said. Happy Holidays.
TOWN HALL MEETING with
Dr. J. R. Green Thursday, January 12th 6:00 P.M. Kelly Miller Elementary School
Fairfield Memorial Hospital
Artist in Residence, Ms. Zaharah Kelly, from Arts Access South Carolina works with FCHS students to provide costumes for Aladdin. Show dates for Aladdin are January 9-11 at 6:30 PM in
recently celebrated National Rural Health Day with a poster contest for students in grades
4th and 5th. Each participant was asked to design a
poster that encompassed the meaning of Rural Health Day in connection with the hospital. The winner was
Jaila Douglas, a 5th grade student at Geiger Elementary.
Congratulations Jaila!
The Snow Queen The Ballie Players, a touring theatre company based in Inman, SC, took the stage with students at Fairfield Magnet School to produce the student centered musical, The Snow Queen. The company provided sets, costumes, props, script, music, and all other aspects in the making of a theatrical production which included one actor to perform onstage with the students.
Ms. Kelly (center)
the FCHS auditorium. For more information about Arts Access visit www.vsasc.org
Congratulations! Annie E. McDaniel, a member of the Fairfield County School Board, was elected to the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) Board of Directors as the Region 12 Director for a four-year term during the association’s annual business meeting held on December 3. Region 12 represents Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Laurens 55, Laurens 56, Newberry, and Union Counties. The South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA), a non-profit organization, serves as a source of information and as a statewide voice for boards governing the 81 public school districts. Ms. McDaniel has served on the Fairfield County School Board since 2000.
State School District Teachers of the Year The 2016-17 District Teachers of the Year gathered for the South Carolina Teacher Forum in Myrtle Beach earlier this month. The theme was Catching Fire. Jennifer Wise, the 2017 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, delivered the keynote on the first night. She shared how her home is a metaphor for the community in which she teaches. Superintendent Molly Spearman addressed the forum on the last day to share the importance of celebrating the profession and leading the way towards excellence in education. Each District Teacher of the Year was pinned as a member of the SC Teacher Forum. Ms. Shelia Beaver, Kelly Miller Elementary School and Fairfield County School District Teacher of the Year 2016-17, attended this prestigious event.
PRIDE from Page 1 On this Science and Innovation in England tour, students will ponder the mysteries of Stonehenge, see Watson and Crick’s three-dimensional DNA model, visit the different biomes at the environmental venture known as the Eden Project, and experience much more. 4. Dual Enrollment courses are increasing each semester in partnerships with Midlands Technical College and Winthrop University. Courses offered this school year are College Algebra, College Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry and Calculus I, Analytical Geometry and Calculus II, English Composition I, English Composition II, Art History and Appreciation, Western Civilization to 1869, Ecology, Public Speaking, College Physics I, College Physics II, General Psychology, and Teacher Cadet. 5. A new initiative this year is Hands-On Learning Day. This initiative is designed to ensure that real-world application and student engagement is taking place as it is a proven teaching strategy that shows increases student achievement. 6. An example of truly soaring to greatness with pride is to have over 520 students make the Honor Roll for the 1st nine weeks at Fairfield Central High School. 7. The month of November was Career Development Month, and FCHS partnered with local colleges and business partners to offer a Lunch & Learn series each Wednesday of the month, to allow students to investigate careers that interest them. One speakers noted that FCHS students Principal Swilley signs over 520 were the most prepared about their future plans than any of the other high schools that she works Honor Roll Certificates with for her region. 8. In Athletics, FCHS football team won its fifth region championship in a row and first in Region 4-3A; all fall sports teams advanced to the playoffs, and two football players, Travius Williams & David Gibson, were selected to play in the North/South All-Star game. Three football players, Tony Ruff, Rodriquez Edmonds, and Kedar Jennings were recognized by The State Newspaper for their athletic accomplishments. WLTX Player of the Week was Quarterback Stanley McManus and Makayla James was recognized as the George Sink Player of the Week. 9. In the Arts, the Golden Griffin Marching Band took top honors in several competitions and had the opportunity to play on several college stages. The Dance, Visual and Performing Arts, and Theatre departments have worked on fantastic performances throughout the semester. 10. The school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) behavior management initiative is off to a great start. FCHS focus is Griffin P.R.I.D.E. which stands for Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence which will help all Griffins be successful in both school and in life. 11. School Spirit is at an all-time high with students participating in Spirit Week, dressing as the mascot, sharing school spirit on social media, and steadily recruiting other students to be involved in increasing school spirit. 12. FCHS is increasing the number of clubs, organizations, and athletic offerings to students to include adding the Pickle Ball Club (with Chess Club), Venture Club, Griffin Pearls, First Priority Club, and a Wrestling Team. FCHS goal is to get all students involved on campus. School administrators are striving to have offerings that interest all students. These are just a few of the great things happening at Fairfield Central High School where the mission is to provide quality teaching and learning to every student every day. The faculty and staff takes pride in collaborating and working together as a Griffin Family to provide bell-to-bell instruction, while taking care of the needs of the whole child. They strive daily to fulfill their motto of helping students, “Soaring to Greatness: Griffins Believe, Griffins Achieve, and Griffins Succeed. FMS
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Winter Break December 19-30 and January 2
Important
Dates
Make-Up Day January 3
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School Board Meeting January 17
Report Cards Issued January 19
BOMAG has partnered with Fairfield County School District to supply coats to students on the district’s Angel Tree. Over 70 coats and non-perishable food items were donated by BOMAG-Ridgeway facility.
This year, Geiger Elementary 4th-6th graders had the incredible opportunity to partner with The Ballie Players to present Alice in Wonderland. The play follows the story of Alice as you know it, but with a unique musical twist. Milner Martin, one of the Players, changed the words of today’s popular songs to fit the story. Selections included “Eat It” (Beat It), “You’re in Wonderland” (Radioactive), and “Don’t Play that Song” (Achy Breaky Heart), among others. The students worked diligently for several months and were able to bring the program to life on November 21st. The audience was blown away by the talent of the young students!
#Teamwork
McCrorey Liston School of Technology Robotics team attended its First Lego League Jr. Competition at Carolina Spring Middle School on Saturday, December 10, 2016. Mrs. L. Miller is currently the team’s sponsor. MLST Robotics Team First Row: Allie Wright, Adien Douglas, Z’Niyah Young, Gregrey Ginyard, Demareyon Thomas, Waylon Estep Second Row: Zaniya Belton, J’Nya Rosebourough, Ryan Crumpton, Devin Coad
Fairfield County School District P.O. Box 622 · 1226 U. S. Highway 321 By-Pass South Winnsboro, South Carolina 29180 (803) 635-4607